Deuteronomy 11:8-28, 1Samuel 15:22-23, Psalm 139:23-24,James 2:22-25

Before Israelites entered the Promised Land, God made it clear that He expected them to obey all His commands, love, serve Him with all their hearts, and never worship other gods. If they obeyed, God would give them the strength to enter and possess Canaan and grant them and their children longevity in the land. God promised to open the heavens and pour rain on the land so that they and their livestock would live in abundance. He would settle them, drive out the inhabitants of the land before their eyes, and divinely empower them to fight and drive out those that were stronger than they were. Wherever the soles of their feet would step, God would grant them favor to possess. Moreover, anyone trying to stand in opposition would not be able to stop them. Wow! What a beautiful package of blessings!

Notice however that these blessings were actually conditional. Despite the fact that the promises of God are Yeah and Amen (2Cor 1:20) you have a responsibility as a believer to take it upon yourself to listen carefully to His commands and make a decision to obey them. God expects you to be a doer of the word and not just a hearer otherwise you will be deceiving yourself. What has the Spirit of God been teaching you lately? What have you been hearing in your spirit that you need to act on? What truths in the word of God do you know that you have not come to full obedience concerning them? What should you have done by now in obedience to God’s word that is still pending? What conviction have you had since you began attending that fellowship or even in your secret place? Could your disobedience be the one actually standing in the way of the blessing you have waited for so long and not the enemy?

Maybe it’s time to change strategy from waging war against the enemy without and begin addressing the enemy within; right inside your heart. Take time to look into your heart and like David ask the Lord to search your heart. Remember obedience is far much better than giving sacrifices to the Lord and the truth is that it is an exercise in futility to walk in disobedience and expect the promises of God to come true in your life.

Remember that God has no problem fulfilling the promises in His word to you. However, it all depends on your willingness to trust and obey Him. The choice is yours.

Selah.